Dr. Aria Chen

Dr. Aria Chen had been summoned to many classified research facilities in her time. She had worked under strict NDAs, analyzed high-density materials for next-generation armor plating, and contributed to theoretical studies on how molecular structures could be manipulated for better conductivity.

But this?

This was something else entirely.

As the unmarked military aircraft landed at an undisclosed facility deep in the mountains, she knew immediately that this was no ordinary government contract. The level of security alone told her that. The airstrip was surrounded by automated defenses, and the facility itself was more reminiscent of a high-tech vault than a laboratory.

Aria stepped out of the aircraft, adjusting her glasses as she observed her surroundings. A uniformed escort waited for her, silent and precise in his movements.

She exhaled, rolling her shoulders. "Let's get this over with."

The corridors were pristine, cold, and filled with automated security measures. It reminded her of high-clearance research bunkers she had worked in before—except this one had an energy to it, something different. Something more alive.

When the reinforced doors slid open, revealing Elias Varis' office, she was already prepared for whatever sales pitch he had planned.

Elias stood with his usual confidence, dressed in a black military-research uniform, his hands casually clasped behind his back. He was watching her, studying her reaction before she even spoke.

She didn't give him the satisfaction of uncertainty.

"Dr. Varis," she greeted, stepping forward without hesitation. "I assume you have a very good reason for dragging me out here."

Elias smirked, gesturing for her to sit. "I do. You're here because your research is about to change the world."

Aria crossed her arms. "I've heard that before. Every time someone needs a high-strength material for their latest prototype, they think they're revolutionizing the industry. What exactly do you think I can do for you?"

Elias activated the holographic display in the center of the room. A molecular structure flickered to life, rotating slowly in the air.

Aria's breath caught in her throat.

She knew exactly what she was looking at.

"That's…" she hesitated, her scientific mind immediately dissecting what she saw. "That's my lattice structure design. But… refined?"

Elias nodded. "I took the liberty of enhancing some of your original calculations. What you theorized as a frictionless alloy? I believe it's possible."

Aria's skepticism flared. "That's impossible. Theoretically, if a material had zero friction at the molecular level, it would be unstable. The energy distribution would—"

Elias tapped the display, pulling up a secondary diagram. "Would collapse, unless you adjusted the atomic arrangement to maintain structural integrity while dispersing excess kinetic energy efficiently."

Aria's eyes widened. That was… genius. It wasn't just a refinement of her work—it was a breakthrough.

She leaned forward, scanning the equations, the calculations—every number lined up.

And then it hit her.

She turned to Elias, eyes narrowing. "What do you need this for?"

Elias deactivated the projection and leaned forward. "High-speed applications. Mach 7 and beyond."

Aria frowned. "You're talking about hypersonic flight?"

"Among other things," Elias said cryptically.

Aria processed the implications. A material like this—one that could withstand the forces of hypersonic travel while never experiencing mechanical wear—would be a game changer.

"Stealth aircraft," she muttered, thinking aloud. "With a frictionless outer shell, you could reduce heat buildup and eliminate material degradation."

Elias nodded. "Correct."

Aria continued, mind racing. "High-speed maglev trains. If there's no friction, the energy loss would be close to zero. You could reach insane speeds without wear on the tracks or the vehicle."

Elias remained silent, letting her go further.

"Medical applications," she continued, now pacing. "If we can manufacture surgical tools with a surface so smooth that bacteria can't adhere, we could reduce infections to nearly zero."

She turned back to Elias, her enthusiasm growing. "Power systems! Bearings in nuclear turbines! No friction means near-infinite operational lifespan without maintenance."

Elias finally smirked. "I like the way you think, Dr. Chen."

Aria crossed her arms. "Alright, I'll admit, this is incredible. But you still haven't told me what you need it for."

Elias tapped the display again, this time bringing up a fully rendered model of a jet.

Aria's breath hitched.

It was unlike anything she had seen before.

"You're serious," she muttered. "This isn't just a theoretical project."

"No," Elias confirmed. "This is happening. You'll be designing the core materials to make it possible."

Aria exhaled, running a hand through her hair. "Mach 7? Maybe higher?"

Elias nodded.

She stared at the projections, already calculating. "We'll need to conduct extreme thermal tests. The material will have to maintain integrity at re-entry temperatures."

"Already accounted for," Elias replied smoothly. "Your lab is equipped for it."

Aria shook her head, still processing. "If this works, it won't just revolutionize aircraft—it could change space travel, rail technology, everything."

Elias smirked. "Now you understand."

Aria crossed her arms. "And you still haven't told me how far you're really planning to take this."

Elias tilted his head, amused. "Would you believe me if I said I wasn't sure yet?"

Aria narrowed her eyes. "No."

Elias chuckled. "Then let's just say—we're making history. And you're going to help me do it."

She extended her hand. "Fine. Let's get started."

Elias took it, shaking firmly. "Welcome to the team, Dr. Chen."

A Few Days Later:

Aria had barely settled into her lab when Elias called her to an underground testing facility. He hadn't explained why—only that she needed to see something.

When the reinforced blast doors opened, Aria stepped inside and stopped in her tracks.

On a massive screen, a high-speed recording played. A battlefield. A fortified enemy base. And then—

BOOM.

A projectile moving at impossible speeds tore through reinforced steel like it was paper.

Aria's eyes widened.

"What—what the hell was that?"

Elias smirked, arms crossed. "That was your first real look at a railgun in action."

She turned to him, disbelief evident. "You're using electromagnetically accelerated rounds in combat?"

"We are," Elias confirmed. "And now, thanks to you, we're going to make them even better."

He tapped the screen, pulling up a blueprint.

A railgun lined with frictionless alloy.

Aria's breath caught. If the interior of the rails had no friction, it would mean…

"A railgun that never degrades," she whispered.

Elias simply smiled.

"Now you understand what you are also working on."

Aria swallowed hard, looking back at the devastation on the screen.

She had come here to revolutionize aerospace.

Now, she was also about to change warfare forever.

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